Church’s surf contests help surfers stay focused

Aug. 8, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 12:28 p.m.

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Robert Benoun of the Calvary Chapel of Pacific Coast talks with a couple during the Calvary Chapel Surf Association's (CCSA) surf contest on July 13, 2013. The contest was part of the CCSA's Summer Open Series. COURTESY OF CALVARY CHAPEL SURF ASSOCIATION

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A surfer drops in on a wave during his heat at the Calvary Chapel Surf Association's contest on July 13. Two dates remain in the association's summer open series: Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. COURTESY OF CALVARY CHAPEL SURF ASSOCIATION

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A surfer atempts a rail grab to earn more points during his heat at the Calvary Chapel Surf Association's Open Series Contest on July 13. COURTESY OF CALVARY CHAPEL SURF ASSOCIATION

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Surfers, the public and members of Calvary Chapel of Pacific Coast gather around the church's booth during a Calvary Chapel Surf Association contest at Goldenwest Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. COURTESY OF CALVARY CHAPEL SURF ASSOCIATION

Robert Benoun of the Calvary Chapel of Pacific Coast talks with a couple during the Calvary Chapel Surf Association's (CCSA) surf contest on July 13, 2013. The contest was part of the CCSA's Summer Open Series.COURTESY OF CALVARY CHAPEL SURF ASSOCIATION

In 1982, a conversation between a surfer and a pastor sparked an idea to host surf contests that are fair yet competitive and based on Christian principles. Two years later, the Calvary Chapel Surfing Association hosted its first surf contest.

"Those initial surf contests became so popular that the CCSA evolved into Calvary Chapel of Pacific Coast's surf ministry outreach program as a way to directly reach out to the surfing community," said Robert Benoun, an administrative pastor of the church who oversees the ministry.

More than 30 years later, the surf contests continue to attract surfers of all ages. More than 100 surfers competed in July's contest at Golden West Street in Huntington Beach. The 14-and-under division had 36 surfers compete for top honors.

"The 14-and-under division is where it all starts," said Edgar Apodaca, a member of the church and the contest director. He volunteered to run the contests after he surfed the first two events that Calvary Chapel hosted in 1984. "We have just as many contestants today as we did when we started."

The contest locations may have changed over the years, but the church's approach has always been the same: Promote a clean atmosphere and expect the same out of the competitors, volunteers and sponsors. Entry fees and corporate sponsors help offset the costs associated with promoting five summer contests and a four-contest series for high school teams each winter.

"Our church is definitely supportive of what we're doing," Benoun said. "It's not so much a dollars and cents thing, though, as much as it's another ministry outreach for our church. The surfing community can be pretty manic with its party lifestyle that can lead people down a dark path. My hope is people who come to our contests see there is more to life than being a surf grom with no hope or faith."

Apodaca believes scriptures can provide answers that people need to not get drawn into the drugs, alcohol and party lifestyle. "The whole idea behind the contests is to bring the word of God onto the beach," he said.

Occasionally, people stop Benoun and Apodaca to share how the contests personally helped them.

"Whether it's months or years after they surfed one of our contests, the conversation is usually the same," Benoun said. "They're grateful for the contests because they were something they could focus on and use to get their lives back on track."

The events don't have a devotional or prayer. However, Benoun and his team invite people to talk to them and learn more about Calvary Chapel and Jesus. Surfers occasionally share their stories of finding Christ. After one contest, three surfers raised their hands in response to Benoun's invitation.

"That is still a memorable moment for me," he said. "The invitation is always very informal. The surfing community is real, and they respond in kind."

In the past, the men tried connecting Bible studies and surf trips to the ministry but found little success.

"The contests just work," Apodaca said. "We'll leave that stuff to the church's other ministries."

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